Reviews with content warning for Alcohol - A Taste of Gold and Iron

Is the story plausible? Not exactly.

Is it historically accurate? Probably not.

Is it enjoyable? Yes, but I will not be re-reading, and this has not become one of my favourite reads.

Besides the fact that I just could not connect to the two main characters, the pacing is off. Some scattered moments were exciting, but overall I was a little bored. Then there is the wording and dialogue, which was a peculiar mix of historical and modern speech. For some it might work, but for me it was confusing.

Additionally, I simply do not understand why in such a seemingly modern and advanced society, there is such an ignorance towards mental health issues. There are multiple characters using neo-pronouns (a fact I absolutely ADORE), they seem to have equal rights for men and women, and the sultan is a woman with a new-born (!!!!) (Zeliha and Eyne were an absolutely delightful addition to the story). Also, there was an aro-ace character that uses çe/çem/çir!

It could have been great, but to me it wasn’t.

Content Warnings

isenil97's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous funny slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.25

Content Warnings

bookcaptivated's review against another edition

Go to review page

emotional mysterious tense slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

Content Warnings

ofbooksandechos's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous emotional relaxing slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

This was disappointing, I expected to have more well rounded characters, as well as a compelling mystery/plot to threat to the country, but I got none of those. The romance was also pretty easygoing, I expected to see more trials and more nuance on the power dynamics involved but alas, those were left to the reader’s imagination.

Ps: I found out later about this but an Ottoman Empire inspired fantasy by a white American author left me with a lot of mixed feelings.
I did enjoy the queer normative world though.

Content Warnings

btrz7's review

Go to review page

emotional medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Diverse cast of characters? Yes

3.75

Content Warnings

dododenise's review against another edition

Go to review page

slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

This was exactly my taste. It’s been a while since I took my time and just cherished the book I am reading but I simply didn’t want this book to end.

The story is almost entirely character focused and I loved that. The plot, including politics, mysteries, violence and betrayal served only the characters. Because of that the plot itself wasn’t revolutionary. Instead, there was so much care put into the characters.

It was a delicious slow burn, with so much yearning and pining. Getting so close to getting together and then pulling apart again and it just pulled at my heartstrings with them. There were so many tender moments between them. The book took its time on long conversation and really developing the characters and their relationships. This was a slow burn perfectly executed. And added to that, a wonderful cast of side characters that I have also learned to adore, including a nonbinary aro ace character who I obviously was a fan of. But all of them found a place in my heart.

Just give me hundreds of books like this and I will be happy.

Content Warnings

thaliareads's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous challenging emotional hopeful mysterious slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

I have to admit that while I really liked the concept for this book, I think I had trouble with the pacing. I had a very hard time getting into the story at first, but when I did it was enjoyable. I especially loved the characters in this book, even if I did struggle a bit with the plot. I loved how oblivious Kadou was to what Evemer was feeling because of how much he doubts what he is capable of. It is a really good take on how anxiety can affect someone's perspective of themselves and how others see them. Overall, the cast of characters was fun and in the end I liked the story, despite my initial misgivings.

Content Warnings

thecatconstellation's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous hopeful tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

I love the anxiety rep & the gender and sexuality rep. Cuuuuteeee relationship. Decent plot.

Content Warnings

More...